Calling Visionary Fundraisers: San Jose Development Director, Major Gifts – Join Juma Ventures|Salary up to $140k annually
Juma Ventures is seeking an experienced, strategic, and relationship-focused fundraising professional to serve as its first dedicated Major Gifts Director in San Jose, California. This full-time, hybrid role offers an extraordinary opportunity to build a major gifts program from the ground up, securing transformative philanthropic support that will advance Juma Ventures’ mission of empowering youth and communities through education, workforce development, and equitable opportunity. The ideal candidate is a seasoned fundraiser who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, enjoys cultivating deep, meaningful relationships, and thrives in launching new initiatives with immediate impact.
Organization Overview
Juma Ventures is a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to helping young people achieve long-term success in education and the workplace. Through local programs and partnerships, Juma provides critical pathways for youth and community members to access skills, mentorship, and resources that foster economic empowerment and career readiness. At the San Jose site, the organization aims to expand philanthropic support to ensure sustainable programming, cultivate community engagement, and develop a robust donor network committed to youth and community transformation.
Position Overview
The San Jose Development Director, Major Gifts is a pioneering role responsible for establishing and leading the site’s inaugural major gifts program. This position involves building systems, strategy, and a strong pipeline of prospects, while directly managing a portfolio of 75–100 high-net-worth individuals and 10–20 institutional funders. The Director will work closely with the Chief Development Officer (CDO), CEO, National Board, San Jose Advisory Board, and the local development team to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts.
This role requires a highly motivated relationship-builder who is equally comfortable strategizing with leadership and engaging personally with donors. The Development Director will serve as a visible representative of Juma Ventures, engaging donors, volunteers, and partners while advancing the organization’s mission through meaningful philanthropic investment.
Key Responsibilities
Major Gifts Program Development
- Design and implement Juma Ventures’ major gifts program in San Jose, adapting the national strategy to meet local needs.
- Conduct research to identify and qualify prospective donors, building a strong pipeline for annual, multi-year, and campaign priorities.
- Develop short- and long-term strategies to achieve fundraising goals while aligning with organizational priorities and impact metrics.
Donor Relationship Management
- Manage a personal portfolio of 75–100 high-net-worth individuals, cultivating relationships through personalized engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Serve as the primary contact for assigned institutional funders, ensuring timely communication, reporting, and relationship-building.
- Conduct 100–150 intentional interactions annually to advance donor relationships, including site visits, events, and personalized briefings.
- Prepare proposals, tailored impact reports, and solicitation materials for major donors.
Prospect Research and Pipeline Building
- Conduct research to assess donor capacity, philanthropic interests, and alignment with Juma’s mission.
- Identify and qualify new donors, ensuring a sustainable pipeline for both immediate and long-term fundraising growth.
- Collaborate with senior development staff to evaluate prospective institutional and corporate funders, sharing insights and strategies.
Advisory Board, Executive, and Volunteer Engagement
- Lead the development and execution of the San Jose Advisory Board, including planning and facilitating quarterly meetings.
- Equip board members and key volunteers to effectively participate in major gift fundraising.
- Support leadership and board members in donor engagement and solicitation efforts through preparation, briefing materials, and strategic guidance.
Fundraising and Donor Events
- Plan, oversee, and execute cultivation and stewardship events, including Juma’s annual San Jose donor fundraising event.
- Collaborate on donor engagement strategies to deepen relationships and inspire multi-year giving.
- Work closely with the development and communications teams to create compelling donor-facing materials.
Operations and Data Management
- Maintain accurate donor records, engagement plans, and cultivation notes in Salesforce and Google Drive.
- Monitor and report portfolio performance, progress toward fundraising goals, and revenue projections.
- Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards, confidentiality requirements, and organizational policies.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 7 years of progressive fundraising experience, including 2+ years securing major gifts.
- Demonstrated success in obtaining five-, six-, or seven-figure gifts from individuals.
- Proven ability to build and manage donor portfolios, develop stewardship strategies, and engage institutional funders.
- Experience collaborating with boards, senior leadership, and volunteers on fundraising initiatives.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and donor presentations.
- Proficiency in donor CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
- Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities independently.
Preferred:
- Experience launching or expanding a major gifts program.
- Knowledge of the San Jose or Bay Area philanthropic landscape.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 403B retirement plan
- Sabbatical and generous paid time off
How to Apply
Submit your application to operations@juma.org including:
- A cover letter describing your interest in the role and alignment with Juma Ventures’ mission
- Current resume
- Salary requirements
Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
This position is a unique opportunity to shape a major gifts program that will have lasting impact on youth, families, and communities in San Jose while advancing Juma Ventures’ mission nationally.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
